Rachel Taylor

  General Notes:

James and Rachel Whittaker and family landed in Cedar City in the fall of 1851 (quoted). The roads were bad, and it took five weeks to make t his 278-mile trip in the dead of winter. They arrived at Cedar Fort on Christmas Eve after eleven months of travel from Haywood, England to Cedar, Utah. Imagine, if you can, that first Christmas in America. Grandmother's heart must have turned in fond memory to the comfortable home across t he sea, where all her brothers, sisters, and loved ones were thinking of them and mourning for them as though dead when they disappeared into the n w Western World. But James and Rachel were not discouraged, nor did they for one hour wish to turn back. The warmth and energy of religious fervor activated them now as always, and soon through cooperative help of all in the camp, logs were hewn and cabins were built, and the newcomers at least had shelter. Wood was plentiful, and so they had fuel for heat. Grandmother, undaunted by the looks of desolation, immediately set about helping to establish the new home. Their log cabin took on a homey atmosphere that came only through thrift and industry. She soon established herself among the people of the little colony as she went among them in her gentle English way, ever ready to help other women to learn to meet the crises of life that daily confronted the pioneers.

Like an angel of mercy, nursing the sick, sewing, mending, encouraging, Grandmother Rachel went about wherever there was work to be done or service to be rendered. When the first Relief Society was organized in Cedar City on 2 November 1856, she was chosen first counselor, and her daughter Ellen W. Lunt was chosen secretary. On 4 June 1868, the Relief Society was reorganized, and Rachel Taylor Whittaker was chosen president. S he held this position until 3 June 1875, having been active in the presidency eighteen years seven months and fourteen days (quoted).

Mary Ann Arthur:

Daughter of Christopher Arthur and Ann Jones. Born 26 September 1836, in England. Married James Whittaker. Died 18 January 1927. Buried at Circleville, Piute, Utah.

Baptized 1853. Died of old age.

1880: Living in Circle Valley. Father born in England; mother born in Wales.
1920: Living at Circleville. Widowed; living with son George H. Whittaker.

From the Mary Whittaker Sewell Family History Journal:

In this crude log house reigned a queen among women. My mother was one of God's choicest daughters. She was dearly loved by her husband, sons, and daughters, in later years by her relatives and grandchildren, and, in fact, by all that knew her. When any of her children had been away from home for a week or two, and when they came home and mother wasn't near, their first words were always, "Where is Mother?"

Mother always tried to satisfy each individual. When making pies or cookies, she would make an apple pie for one and a gooseberry for another. And in making cookies, she would do the same. For me, she would put caraway seeds on the top specially. Did she spoil us? I rather think not. She did it for love.

This good woman raised nine children, nursing them through childhood disease without the aid of a doctor. She had five of her children down with measles at one time and brought them through all "spick and span" with the aid of the family doctor book Doctor Gunn's Work.

The pies she made for her family were delicious. Her son-in-law James M. Sewell often said, "No one can make better pies than Mother Whittaker." In later years she kept pies on the table every day for her son George. The latchstring at the door in this dear old home was always on the outside as a welcome to all to come in and enjoy the hospitality found within. Here many a weary traveler found a haven of rest when he arrived at "Whittaker's Place." Here he and his animals were cared for during the night without cost. Mother always-found room at the table if a friend or neighbor came in at mealtime. She never turned anyone away who came to her door asking for food. In this way she may have entertained angels unawares.

When people who were not so well off in worldly goods came on a visit to Sister Whittaker's. After dinner she would go into her well-filled cellar, get a piece of fresh meat, a pound of butter or canned fruit, put it under her apron, and go out quietly and put it in the wagon without being seen. For she believed as Christ said, not to let your left hand know what the right hand doeth.

Memories of the Activities of Mother Dear:

On this ranch many cows were milked morning and night by the boys and hired men. They would bring in the large buckets of fresh milk. As no separators were in existence then, the girls would strain the milk into clean tin pans, and put it on the shelves in the cool cellar for the cream to rise. In a couple of days, the milk would clabber, and the cream would be thick and yellow on the top. Then Mother Dear would skim the cream into a large crock. She would get out the churn, scald and cool it, put the tick cream into the churn, and go to work.

In fancy, I can see Mother Dear, sitting in a low chair, churning and reading a story. Sometimes it would be Lena Rivers, Woman against Woman or some other love story. When the cream became too thick for her to churn it anymore without help, she would call one of the girls to come and raise the dashers while she held the churn. Many a time I did this for my beloved mother. In a very short time, it would break or separate. Mother would wash the buttermilk out of the butter with cold water, then take the many pounds of golden butter into a large pan, mold it into pounds, and put it in the cool cellar for her family.

Mother always had a flock of chickens to supply the home with fresh eggs. At one time she had about 40 or 50 chickens. They would roost in an old coop. One morning she went out to feed them, and when she opened the door, all the chickens were dead. She called for help and brother George came to the rescue. He looked into the coop and saw a big wild cat up in the corner. George ran for a gun and soon put and end to the old cat. Mother soon got some more chickens, and when they began to lay more eggs than she needed for the table, she would put them in a big crock in the cellar. When she had a bucket full, she would say, "Come, girls. Let us take the eggs to the store." None of Mother's girls liked to sell eggs, so the lot fell on Mary and Louise. Over into the pasture they went with a rope and pan of oats to catch Old Baldy, the big bald-faced bay horse. After chasing him up and down the pasture, they would finally catch him, lead him home, put the harness on, and hitch him to the buckboard (a small wagon built for one horse). By this time Mother would be ready with eggs and all. In a short time, Mother, Louise, and Mary would be off to town, the eggs packed securely in the back of the buckboard. When we arrived at the store and the time came to take the eggs into the store, Mary's pride got the best of her, and she would say, "Mother, I am not going to peddle eggs." So the job fell on Mother and Louise. But Mary's pride took a tumble when Mother bought something nice for each girl, purchased with those ranch eggs.

Mother must have descended from the queens of England, for she inherited a great deal of pride, especially in her hair. She loved to have her hair look nice. When the silver threads became visible, she used "Aires Hair Vigor". Her daughter Nellie or Mary would comb the perfumed dressing into her hair, braid it, and fix it in a becoming style. Her hair remained dark until she became an elderly woman. Mother always had a reverence for
Queen Victoria of England, always spoke of her as a good queen, remembered seeing the queen when she (Mother) was a young girl.

One beautiful day in April or May about the year 1883 or 1884, Mother, Nellie, Louie, and Mary were at home; Rachel Ann was absent. Mother and Nellie were busy with some kind of work. Mary and Louie, being little girls, were playing in the yard, when they saw a young girl coming up the road, carrying something in her arms. When she came near, it was obvious that she was about sixteen years old. Mother asked her to have a chair. Then the young girl said, "I have a little baby girl here, and I want you to take her; you may have her; the only thing I ask is that you will name her 'Mary'. You see, we found her. We were camped down on the river for the night and when we were preparing our evening meal, we heard a baby crying. We went out where the sound was coming from, and we found this little girl in the bushes. Will you take her?" Mother took the little baby in her arms, but when the girl turned to leave, tears came into her eyes as she left. Mother really did not know what to do, as Father and Rachel Ann were away, so she got in touch with John Baylor, the sheriff. He soon came to the Ranch, and Mother told him what the girl, had said about the child. He responded that he would soon find the mother and rode down to the place where they were camped. After investigating, he found a young mother on a bed in a covered wagon. This company consisted of a grandmother, her son and daughter, and the young mother. They said that they were on their way to Arizona to seek a new home and could not take the baby. After the sheriff talked to them about
the child, he learned that the mother wanted to take her baby, but the grandmother said, "No". So they all left for Arizona. Afterwards, Mother got in touch with a good woman in Junction who had just buried a baby girl and who decided to take her and name her Mary Pearl. After Father and Rachel Ann came home, they said it would have been all right if Mother had kept her. Mother always had an interest in this little girl. Every time she would go to Junction to the grocery store, she would always ask about the child. Little Mary Pearl lived until she was about ten years old, when she became sick and died and is buried in the Junction Cemetery.

After many years, this family, returning from Arizona, called at the ranch to see the little girl. They were grieved to learn that she was dead. In the meantime, the grandmother had died also. I am inclined to believe that Mother Dear always regretted that she did not keep little Mary Pearl.

Father and Mother were full of faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the church they had joined in their youth. Father would ask God's blessings on his family and on the food just before partaking of the meal. In memory, I can see our breakfast table laden with bacon or fresh meat, eggs, nice dried fruit, and creamed biscuits, and other things. Father and Mother would sit at the head of the table, Louie being the youngest child sitting on Father's knee, a place she held for years or until she grew too tall. Then she sat on a chair near his side, for there was a bond of love between Father and his baby daughter. The rest of their stalwart sons and lovely daughters surrounded the table. Then Father bowed his head and asked Our Father to bless his family and all those whom duty and affection bound us to pray for and thanked Him for the food. This was the devotional exercise of each morning in my childhood home.

Father and Mother would attend church in the little church in Circleville Ward. Father, in leading the choir, taught us to sing "Work for the Night is Coming", "Jerusalem, My Glorious Home", "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" and many other hymns. After the meeting was over, we would go up to Aunt Lennie Smith's home and spend a pleasant afternoon. Mother and Lennie were always friends, loving each other through all their lives.

When Mother thought her girls needed cloth for a new dress, she would get the mail order catalogue "Weinstock & Lubin" and say, "Come, girls, and select the cloth for a new dress." We would all gather around the catalogue and choose the cloth for our new dress. Mother would write out the order and send for our cloth. Then we would count the days until the package would arrive. Then we would select the style, get our beloved sister Nellie to make it, or make it ourselves. It was customary for all the girls in Circleville to have a new dress for the holidays and many other special occasions.

Mother inherited a tendency from her father that was outstanding throughout her life. She was very freehearted just like he was. Mother was always ready to extend a helping hand or give a kind word to those who were in need or in trouble. If any of her children or grandchildren were sick, Mother was sent for to help with her remedies and advice.

Mother was dearly loved by her children and grandchildren. To me, she was the dearest mother--one whom I could always rely on for comfort and consolation. So long as she was living, I felt like I had someone to go to if any thing of a serious nature happened to me. But when she died, I felt like I was alone, and had to rely on my own self.

Our mother Mary Ann Whittaker was one of God's chosen daughters. She came of a good upright religious family; she was a sweet lovely woman, full of faith in the Gospel which she had embraced in faraway England. She was loved by all who knew her, always willing to help those in need, paid an honest tithing, the last payment made according to her request after her death. She lived to be ninety-three years old. This woman whose story has been told here was one of ten thousand who, in the latter days, sought earnestly after truth, happily found it, courageously accepted it, and was led into new places where, despite many trials, discovered new and greater joy in living. May the memory of her faith and diligent works ever rest in the hearts of her many descendents. This noble mother with her parents and brothers were caught in the Gospel Net and carried into a new country where, through many trials and adversity, found much happiness among the Mormon people located in the Rocky Mountains. This brings to a close the mortal life of one of the dearest mothers God ever sent to earth.

The loom of love you gave me
Was like a gift divine
To bind and hold us heart to heart
Forever, Mother of mine.

Mary Whittaker Sewell
Phoenix, Arizona 1944

Biography of Rachel Taylor Whittaker:

Written by Charlotte Chatterley Perkins Jones and Hattie Maria Thornton Snow, Her Granddaughters Cedar City, Iron Co. Provo, Utah Co. of Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

To more fully visualize character, a study of the physical and social environment in which it was nurtured needs careful attention. Hence the following: as the home setting of the Whittaker family, Heywood, Lancashire, England, was a village surrounded by a very verdant country and has much scenery of a highly picturesque description. There are quiet, green valleys, murmuring waters, rustling trees, cloudless summer skies, and children playing neath wildwood's leafy screen, with blooming honey dew and flowers of every color. The town was very old and the people religious. The following is a picture of Sunday morning in those homes nestled so securely among all this beauty. Breakfast, consisting of oatmeal porridge and butter cakes accompanied with a world of good and gentle admonitions, was soon over and the children dressed for chapel. At the toll of the bell of the Heywood Cathedral, the children strolled forth so clean as a new pin from tip to toe." Quoted from a book-"Heywood and its Neighbors." This picture is typical of the Whittaker home and could one turn back the pages of time, we would see the four Whittaker children strolling peacefully, happily with their neighbors to Sunday School in the Heywood Cathedral and a fond mother standing in the door, watching their departure.

This mother was Rachel Taylor Whittaker, daughter of Alice Turner Taylor and James Taylor. She was born April 16, 1808, in this same small town of Heywood that has been so beautifully pictured for us. Here she grew to womanhood in a cultured religious environment. On August 2, 1829, she was married to James Whittaker, a fine vigorous young Baptist, in Rochdale, Old Church, Lancashire, England. She was a Methodist, and the strict discipline under which she was reared in this faith, had much to do in molding a splendid characteristics which gave her poise and self-control. These characteristics contributed much to the success of her life.

The most important events that came to the lives of these young people in the next
twelve years, were the births of their children, Ellen, James, Mary, Sarah. They were tenderly nurtured and given the best educational opportunities the times afforded.

The schools in England at that time were mostly private, with special instructors in the arts and trades to which young people were apprenticed. They were all taught the fundamentals of education: Ellen learned sewing and millinery. James studies music and business, and worked with his father in the mercantile business; Mary learned needle craft as applied to sewing, knitting and art work.

Early in the 40's the gospel message came to them and they accepted it. Leaving the comfort and loveliness of their home in Old England, they for America to make their home in the western wilderness with the body of Latter Day Saint Church. Leaving Liverpool, January 22, 1851, they arrived in New Orleans, March 20, 1851. They proceeded up river to St. Louis and there made preparations for crossing the plains. Details of this trek have been given in Grandfather's biography.

Arriving in Salt Lake Valley, in September 1851, they were allowed to stay there scarcely a month when President Young called them to proceed to Southern Utah. The roads were bad and it took five weeks to make this 278-mile trip in the dead of winter. They arrived at Cedar Fort, Christmas Eve, after eleven months of travel. Imagine, if you can, that first Christmas in America. Grandmother's heart must have turned in fond memory to the comfortable home across the sea, where all her brothers, sisters and loved ones were thinking of them and mourning for them as dead as they disappeared in this new Western world. But they were not discouraged, or did they for one hour wish to turn back. The warmth and energy of religious fervor actuated them now as always and soon through
cooperative help of all in camp, logs were hew, and cabins were built and the new comers at least had shelter. Wood was plentiful and so they had fuel for heat, and coal was in the canyons near by.

Grandmother, undaunted by the looks of desolation, immediately set about helping to establish the new home, where her family could be comfortable and happy. Their log cabin took on a homey atmosphere that comes only through thrift and industry. She soon established herself among the people of the little colony, as she went among them in her gentle English way, ever ready to help other women to learn to meet the crises of life
that daily confronted the pioneers and there were many in those pioneer days who felt like giving up. Like an angel of mercy, nursing the sick, sewing, mending, encouraging, she went about-wherever there was work to be done or service to be rendered, she was there.

When the first Relief Society was organized in Cedar City, November 20, 1856, she was chosen second counselor to President Lydia O. Hopkins. Annabella Haight was first counselor-and her oldest daughter, Ellen W. Lunt was chosen secretary, Ellen serving in this position until November 6, 1879, giving 23 years of faithful efficient service.

On June 4, 1868, the Relief Society was reorganized and Rachel Taylor Whittaker was chosen President, with Annabelle Haight and Mary Higbee her counselors. She held this position until June 3, 1875, having been active in the presidency for 18 years, 7 months, and 14 days. I suppose her release then was occasioned by failing health for she died the next year, July 8, 1876.

Grandmother was about 5 feet 9 inches tall, had brown eyes and brown hair. She had a pleasing personality, was quiet and unassuming, but firm and dignified in her conduct always. She believed and exemplified the maxim "That Cleanliness is akin to Godliness," and her home radiated an atmosphere of both cleanliness and godliness.

Charlotte Chatterley Jones, co-author of this sketch, has fond memories to record as follows:

"Altho I was not quite eight years old when grandmother died, I remember some of the lessons she taught me. She said to me more than once, "Charlotte, when you are talking to anyone, turn your face toward the person you are talking to." I have never forgotten it. She had a number of the brightest stars she had named for us children, and mother, being a very busy woman, grandmother often came to our home on Main Street, to help put us children to bed and help with the evening household duties. In the summer evenings we would sit in the yard.

Grandmother in the old wooden rocker, would show us our star, and tell us that particular star was watching us. I'm sure it helped us to be better children. There were no finer people ever came to this country than James Whittaker and his family. May we and our children after us ever prize this sacred heritage they have left us.

When babies came to her daughters, Mary and Sarah, Mother Whittaker was the nurse who took care of them, and when Amos had to go on long trips through Arizona and New Mexico, to labor with the Indians. Mary took refuge with her father and mother, and often times lived with them for weeks at a time. Her two first babies were born in their home, and the second baby, a son, Amos, was born while his father was out on that
hazardous journey when young George Albert Smith was killed by the Indians and the other missionaries had to travel day and night to escape being murdered themselves. Besides the regular hardships of food shortage and general privation there was the constant threat of the Indian depredations.

Had these biographies been written 40 years earlier they could have been much more complete, much more intimate, for there were those who could have recorded much important detail that we do not now know. But at this distance through the years, we, their granddaughters have penned down as best we could gather and remember these few facts.

This we do know, that they were Pioneers of Utah who came in 1851, and we know too, that all dates here given are correct.

A local author of considerable fame expresses for us just how we feel-She says: "I wonder how many of us really feel what a splendid thing it is to be a daughter or granddaughter of pioneers, and what it means? It means courage; it means faith; it means sacrifice; it means almost all the finer qualities that a man or woman can have in his or her character, being a son or a daughter of the pioneers." May the characteristic fortitude and truthfulness of these Whittaker grandparents continue on through the many generations present and yet to come.

Rachel married James Whittaker, son of Samuel Whittaker and Sarah Or Sally Whitaker, on 2 Aug 1829 in St Chad, Rochdale, Lancashire, England. (James Whittaker was born on 8 May 1809 in Blackburn, Or Todmorden, Lancashire, England, christened on 27 Mar 1810 in Todmorden, , Lancashire, England, died on 3 Mar 1880 in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, USA and was buried on 7 Mar 1880 in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, USA.)